SHARE

Mesa State OK’d for alcohol at events

Mesa State College received the go-ahead Wednesday to offer alcohol at its College Center and at three sports arenas.

The license would in effect allow the college’s food and beverage vendor, Sodexo, to sell alcohol to the general public at sporting events, but a company representative said that was not the intent of obtaining a liquor license.

Instead, alcohol will be served only during special events, such as weddings and conferences, and in boxes at sporting events reserved for VIP members, and precautions will be taken to prevent making alcohol available to minors, said Mathew Dokoupil, a manager for Sodexo.

“It is not to make it a wet campus,” said Dokoupil.

The license allows alcohol to be served at Elliott Tennis Center, the Maverick Center, Walker Soccer Field and the College Center.

Michael Grattan, the hearing officer who reviews liquor licenses for entities in Grand Junction, said during Wednesday’s meeting the broad scope of the college’s application was cause for concern. He questioned whether it meant the college could be allowed to sell beer in the aisles during a basketball game at Brownson Arena, for example.

That use would be allowed under the licensing, but there may be other stipulations by collegiate sports associations that would ban alcohol at those events, said John Shaver, Grand Junction city attorney.

“This is not going to give these folks a pass just because they’re on the college campus,” he said.

Having alcohol at events on campus is expected among some groups, said Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. Schwenke spoke in support of the license Wednesday.